Frequently asked questions
About the award
What is the TIME Healthcare Champion of the Year, in partnership with Johnson & Johnson?
The Healthcare Champion of the Year is a branded award that honors a healthcare professional whose work is making a meaningful difference for patients, colleagues and communities. The recognition celebrates leadership, innovation and care, especially in moments where healthcare systems are under pressure.
Who is behind the award?
The TIME Healthcare Champion of the Year, in partnership with Johnson & Johnson, will leverage TIME’s global platform and J&J’s long-standing commitment to supporting healthcare professionals.
Eligibility
Who is eligible to be nominated?
Nominees must:
- Be currently employed in the United States
- Be actively involved in healthcare or care delivery
- Work in roles such as physicians, nurses, advanced practice clinicians, surgeons, community health workers or similar care‑focused roles
Professionals at any stage of their career are eligible, as long as they are actively practicing.
What types of employment settings are eligible?
The Healthcare Champion of the Year is open to healthcare professionals working across a wide range of care settings, including but not limited to:
- Hospitals and health systems
- Clinics and outpatient care centers
- Community health programs and nonprofits
- Academic or teaching institutions (with active clinical practice)
- Care coordination, patient navigation or community‑based care settings
Can someone nominate themselves?
Yes. Individuals may self-nominate or be nominated by a third party with their consent. There is no need to submit multiple nominations for the same person, and self-nominations and nominations by third parties will be evaluated equally.
Can organizations or teams be nominated?
No, at this time only individuals will be considered.
Is this award open to global roles?
No, at this time, only individuals currently employed in the United States will be considered.
Are government officials eligible to be nominated?
Government-employed healthcare professionals are eligible to be nominated, provided they are actively engaged in care delivery and meet all award criteria. If a nominee is employed by a government entity, the nomination should be approved by any ethics and compliance review as per the employer’s policies prior to submission.
Are J&J employees eligible?
J&J employees and their immediate family members are not eligible to be nominees. However, J&J employees may help spread awareness of the award and encourage nominations where appropriate.
Application process
What does the application involve?
The application includes:
- Basic information about the nominee and nominator
- Short written responses focused on impact and outcomes
- Option to provide a CV of the nominee (if desired) and one written testimonial from a colleague, patient or someone who can speak to the nominee’s impact on care in the communities they serve
The application is designed to highlight real-world impact, not production quality or professional storytelling.
Will there be an interview process?
No, there is no live interview component within the selection process.
What are reviewers looking for?
Applications are evaluated using three core criteria:
- Grit: Leadership, resilience and determination
- Innovation: Meaningful improvements in care delivery or systems
- Care: Compassion and commitment that improves the patient experience
Strong applications clearly show impact in at least one of these areas through specific examples.
Do applicants need a connection to J&J or TIME?
No. A prior relationship with J&J or TIME is not required to apply or be selected.
Timeline & selection
When does the application open and close?
- Call for submissions opens: July 16, 2026
- Applications due: August 28, 2026
How and when are finalists announced?
A shortlist of finalists will be selected by J&J and a panel of industry experts, and announced publicly on October 16, 2026, following a structured review process aligned to the award criteria.
When is the Healthcare Champion of the Year announced?
The Healthcare Champion of the Year winner will be announced in advance of the A Year in TIME event on December 9, 2026 in New York City.
Recognition & event
What does the selected honoree receive?
The selected Healthcare Champion of the Year winner will receive:
- A full-day photo and video shoot with TIME Studios that will be featured in TIME Studios x J&J custom content
- A custom branded digital TIME cover featuring the Healthcare Champion of the Year winner
- A custom branded feature in the Person of the Year issue of TIME Magazine
- An invitation to attend the A Year in TIME Event in New York City with one guest. Travel support is provided by J&J if needed.
Does the winner need to attend the A Year in TIME event?
Attendance is encouraged for the selected honoree but is not required. Details about travel and logistics will be shared directly with the honoree following selection.
Additional questions
Who reviews the applications?
Applications are reviewed through a structured, merit-based process by non-commercial J&J representatives and a panel of healthcare industry experts.
Will applicants receive feedback?
Due to the expected volume of submissions, individual feedback cannot be provided. All applicants will be notified once their application is successfully received and once the finalists are selected.
Will nomination information remain confidential?
Information submitted through the application process will remain confidential, however, those selected to the short-list agree to participate in publicity or other media activities.
Can nominations be disqualified? If so, under what circumstances?
Yes, some nominations may not be considered based on ethics, legal and compliance concerns.
Is there a cost associated with submitting a nomination?
No.
Who can I contact with questions?
For questions, please contact JJCareCommunity@ITS.JNJ.COM
About the award
This inaugural recognition is open to healthcare professionals working actively with patients across roles, settings and stages of career, united by a shared commitment to improving care delivery in the United States.
Terms and conditions apply.